ATIS

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m part of the board and financial supervisor of Infosoft Office. We’re the biggest distributor in Albania for back to school products. We have a team of about 80 people and have about 800 different clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ATIS?

I needed an online website so my resellers and B2B clients can make their orders. Currently, they either have to email or call us. I also needed an online store that connects to my accounting system. This online store would get real-time information regarding stock quantity and make automatic reservations for orders that my clients completed. At the moment, I have to put in the information in both my accounting system and online store. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

ATIS built the entire platform. They designed and developed the platform and linked the online store to the accounting system that I have. Our accounting system uses a Microsoft program called Navision.

I wanted the site to be aesthetically pleasing and to update automatically. I also wanted each client to have their own prices and their own accounts once they logged into the system. This would allow them to see all of the previous history and invoices. Additionally, I wanted all of my products to be divided into different categories, subcategories, and filters allowing the customer to search by brand or specific products. Also, I wanted a site where clients could leave reviews. ATIS was able to deliver all of my requirements. 

What is the team dynamic?

I have no idea how many programmers were involved in this project. I only talked to the account manager that was assigned to me

How did you come to work with ATIS?

I looked on Google for a web developer in Albania. When I found a developer, I would look at their website to see if I liked it. I found 5 or 6 and contacted them all. Only 3 said they could do the work that I was asking and I met with all of them. ATIS was the most professional and had the best offer.

How much have you invested with them?

Around 7,000 euros.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started August 2016 and was completed May 2017. I still communicate frequently with ATIS whenever I want to add or change specific things on our site. Based on my request, they will tell me how many hours it’s going to take and then I’ll decide if it’s worth it or not.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Our goal was to push more of our clients to use a web-based approach when making orders. Because people in Albania tend to be more technology resistant, our clients using our new system are tech companies.

I’m expecting more orders in the future. Overall, from those I’ve discussed with about the new site, they say it’s one of the best from those that are offered in Albania.

How did ATIS perform from a project management standpoint?

Communication with ATIS was very easy. We communicated through email, phone, and I even went to their offices. They came to our office regarding the aesthetic part of the project. If I found a bug, I would email them and they would take care of it. What was difficult for them was having a third party involved. My accounting system had to give ATIS access points. They made it a little difficult, but ATIS was always there when I needed them, no matter what time I called.

What did you find most impressive about them?

This was my first-time building a website, so I had no idea what to expect. I was impressed with their availability and their ability to complete every single request that I had. Also, their programmers are really good.

Are there any areas they could improve?

At the beginning, I was in frequent communication with an individual that understood my business needs and then would forward those needs to a programmer. Toward the end of the project that individual left and that bridge was never really filled.